A prominent Moroccan human rights activist, Fouad Abdelmoumni, is set to face trial after being charged with spreading false information, offending state institutions, and making false reports. This development follows Abdelmoumni’s public claims that the Moroccan government was leveraging migration and intelligence activities as tools to exert pressure on France, according to a statement from a Casablanca prosecutor on Friday.
Abdelmoumni, known for his outspoken political commentary, was detained by police on Wednesday for questioning and subsequently released on Friday. The Casablanca prosecutor’s office stated that his social media posts “undermine the interests of the Kingdom and some of its institutions” and contain elements that violate laws, exceeding the boundaries of free expression.
Abdelmoumni’s trial has been scheduled to commence on December 2, according to a judicial source.
The accusations surfaced shortly after French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Morocco from October 28 to 30, aimed at mending the diplomatic rift between the two nations. In a Facebook post made during Macron’s visit, Abdelmoumni claimed—without presenting evidence—that Morocco employed strategies involving migration, security intelligence, and espionage as leverage over France. The visit marked an attempt to improve strained bilateral relations that have been affected by issues such as migration policies and espionage.
In response to the charges, Human Rights Watch expressed strong disapproval, stating, “Charging him for peacefully expressing his views would be a blatant violation of his right to free speech under international law.” Additionally, Morocco’s largest human rights organization, the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH), denounced Abdelmoumni’s arrest as politically motivated, arguing it was an attempt to stifle dissent.
Abdelmoumni’s lawyer, Souad Brahma, defended her client, emphasizing that he was targeted for voicing his opinions freely on social media.
The trial raises significant questions about freedom of speech in Morocco and whether critical voices are at risk of suppression under the pretense of maintaining national interests. Human rights groups and international observers are closely monitoring the situation, which could have far-reaching implications for political activism and freedom of expression in the region.
